in Herod’s sin, and incited him to proceed to violent measures against the prince of the apostles.
Guardian angels. It is evident that the very earliest Christians believed in guardian angels, this being proved by the words which escaped from the lips of those assembled in the house of Mary, the mother of Mark: “It is his angel!”
The depravity of paganism. The pagans of the Roman Empire had, at this time, sunk to such a depth of depravity that they paid divine honour not only to the emperors who were dead, but also to those who were living, and even to the favourites, dancers, and wTestlers of the emperor, no matter how debased and immoral they were.
Application. You should learn from the example of the first Christians how great a duty it is for all the faithful to pray for their bishops and priests, and especially for the supreme head of the Church, our Holy Father the Pope. Our present Holy Father (Pius X.) is also surrounded by enemies. He is outraged, calumniated, hated, robbed of his possessions and liberty, and is virtually a prisoner. He needs the prayers and assistance of all his children.
Chapter XCIV.
PAUL’S FIRST MISSION (A. D. 45—48).
[Acts 13 to 14.]
NOW there were in the Church which was at Antioch (Fig. 95, p. 782) prophets and doctors, among whom were Barnabas and Simon, who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manahen, who was the foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul[1]. And as they[2] were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Ghost said to them: “Separate[3] me Saul and Barnabas for the work whereunto I have taken[4] them.” Then they, fasting and praying and imposing hands upon them, sent them away. So they, being sent by the Holy Ghost, went to Seleucia, and from thence they
- ↑ And Saul. Saul, having come to Jerusalem to see Peter, was after 1 5 days sent by the brethren to Tarsus, his native place (Acts 9, 30; Gal. 1, 21), and from thence he was after some time brought to Antioch by Barnabas in order to help in the work of the Church. There he taught a whole year with great success (Acts 11. 25 — 26).
- ↑ They. i. e. the bishops and priests and deacons.
- ↑ Separate. By consecrating them bishops.
- ↑ Taken, i. e. called them.
